Reform Acts Will Increase Transparency and Encourage Discovery of Waste

Chairman Waxman introduced two bills to increase government transparency and encourage the discovery of waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money. The hearing provided an opportunity for the Committee to focus on the issues of lobbying and ethics reform in the executive branch. The Committee heard from noted experts and academics on these issues. A transcript of this hearing is now available.

The Executive Branch Reform Act is a comprehensive reform measure that would increase transparency in the executive branch by requiring senior government officials to report significant contacts with lobbyist. The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act would for the first time extend whistleblower protections to national security officials and employees of federal contractors.